Means for elastic-fluid compression



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. M. BITES. MEANS FOR ELASTIG FLUID COMPRBSSION. N5. 542,425. -1 5ten555 July 9, 1895.

WITNESSES:

(No Model.) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

- F. M. RITES. MEANS FOR ELASTIG FLUID COMPRESSION. l No. 542,425. Patented July 9, 1895.

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WITNESSES: l IN NI'OR, "Y 4M 7K@ s @M 5. Att'y;

(No Model.) s sheets-sheet 3.

P. M. BITES.

MEANS FOB. ELASTIG FLUID GOMPRBSSION.

Patented July 9, 1895.

FIGB.

FIGMI which improvement the following is a speci- Vof Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS M RITEs, oF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA` IVIEANS FOR ELAST-IC-FLUID COIVIPRESSION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,425, dated July 9, 1895.

Application tiled October 16, 1894. Serial No, 626,043. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. BITES, a` citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State a certain new and useful Improvement in Means for Elastic-Fluid Compression, of

ication.

The object of my invention is to provide means for the compression of air or other elastic fluid, by mechanism of comparatively simple and .inexpensive construction, with a high degree of operative economy, and at a materially higher speed thanhas heretofore been found attainable.

To this end my invention, generally stated, consists in the combination of a motor-cylinder, a compressor-cylinder, valve mechanisms independently effecting distribution functions of said cylinders, and connections to said mechanisms whereby said distribu-- tion functions are coincidently and positively varied by a common controlling element.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth. v

It is well recognized in practice that in all fluid-compressors whose motor-cylinder is controlled by an automatic cut-oft mechanism, a proper relative variation of the distribution functions of the motor and compressor cylinders must Vbe effected in order to attain an advantageous and economical result. As the pressure in the .reservoir or receiver changes, so as to vary the amount of work required from the motor-cylinder, and consequently to vary its point of cut-off, the period of opening communicationfrom the compressor-cylinder must also vary and in the same direction. In other words, as the point of cut-off or closureof fluid supply from the generator to the motor-cylinder becomes earlier in the stroke, by reason of decreased load, the point ot eduction o r dischargeot compressed iiuid from the compressor to the reservoir must become correspondingly earlier in the stroke for the saine reason. inasmuch as the distribution valve functions corre` vspending with the closure of supply and discharge are what may be called inverse valve functions, it has not heretofore beenconsidered practicable to positively control them,

and it has been the practice to control -the valves of the motor and compressor cylinders independently, and, while making those of the former dependent for control on the governor, to make those of the latterwholly dependent on the terminal-pressure in the comprcssor-cylinder-that is to say, while the dis-v tribution functions ot the valves of the motor- `cylinder are varied with the change of load through connection with the governor, the distribution functions of the valves `of the compressor-cylinder are varied by the direct action ot' the pressure in said cylinder.

The valves of compressor-cylinders are ordinarily of the class of check or seating valves, y

opening for supply to the cylindervby the external pressure as soon as a partial vaccum is created in the cylinder by the movement of the piston therein and opening for eduction or discharge from .the cylinder t0 the reservoir or receiver'as Isoon as a slight excess of pressure is attained by compression in the cylinder. In another class of compressors the valves are not raised from and returned to their seats, but are moved over plane or segmental seats in the manner of slide-valves, and are, as in the former case, moved to open and close the ports which they control by the direct action of the varying pressures in the Vcylinder and reservoir. It has further been proposed to provide a compressor-cylinder with valves'of the Corliss type, fitted withl a tripping mechanism by which they are caused .to 'open to the reservoir when the pressure in the cylinder reaches thatin the reservoir, such a construction being set forth in the patent of E. Reynolds, No. 378,336, dated February 2l, 1888. It will be'seen that in this case, also, the valve M'operation of the compressor- 'cylinder is directly dependent upon the action of the variation of pressure as between the compressor-cylinder and the receiver.

The essential and characteristic feature of my invention, as contradistinguished from those of the prior art, as above indicated, and so far as my knowledge and information extend, is the control of the distribution function of the compressor-cylinder directly and wholly by the same action which controls the distribution of motive Huid to the motor-cylinder. Thepressure inthe compressor-cylinder has no influence upon the valve functions thereof, except in so :far as variation of `pressure therein affects the load on the motor-cylinder, and thus varies the distribution functions of the motor-cylinder through the governing mechanism which controls them and which coincidently varies the distribution functionsrof the compressor inversely or in opposite direction to those of the motor-cylinder.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central section through an apparatus for the compression of elastic fluid adapted l to the practice of the method and illustrating one form of the means which constitute my invention; Fig. 2, a side view, partly in elevation and partly in section, through "thef valve-chests; Figs. 3 and 4, longitudinal sec-l,

tions through the valve and valve-chests `of the motor-cylinder and the compressor-cylin-l der, respectively; Figs. 5 and, indicator-cards 3 illustrating graphically the variation oifdistribution of'elastic fluid inthe uriotor-cylinder;`

and the compressor-cylinder, `respective`ly;`

Fig. 7, a side view, partlyin elevation fand-y lpartly in longitudinal ce'ntral section, of `an-;

other apparatus for the compression of elasfr tic fluid adapted 'to the practice o'ffmy invention; Fig. 8, a partial lside view in elevation1 and on an enlarged scale,showing`the valve` actuating mechanism; Fig. 9, a View on `a similar scaleof the governor and 1its connections; Figs. 10 and 11, sections on a further enlarged scale at the lines :t: :bland y spectively, of Fig. 9; Fig. 12, a view in perspective of the separated moving parts of the *mechanism shown in Fig. 1li; Figs. 13 and1`4, views in elevation of the actuating and releasing niechanism of the inlet-valves ot' tire motor-cylinder and the discharge-valves of the compressor-cylinder, respectively; tanti Fig. `15, a detail view, onan enlarged scale,f of the releasing-gear of one of the inlet-valvesl "of the compressor-cylinder.

The drawings illustratetwo'different mechanisms, differing materially one from the other both in general structure andiu detaih; but embodying under the same operative principle the essential and characteristic feature; of my "invention, both in Itheir construction? and in their capability of carrying out in practice the method of elastic fluidcompression which it coinprehends.

Referring first to Figs. 1-to 6,inc'lusive, I;

ing-rod 9c is coupled to the piston 6b and extends outwardly throughthe tubular piston- `compressorcylinders. 'are fitted to slide in the slots of the links 39 rod 9b thereof. The ends of the piston-rod 9 and link 9, exterior to the cylinders 1 and 2", are coupled to the two upper angles of a triangular connecting-rod 12", the arms of which are set an angle, and which is coupled at its lower angle to the pin of a crank 10 on the shaft 4. The employment of a triangular counecting-rod, by means of which connections from two pistons not having coincident movements in each direction can be made to asingle crank, was known in the art prior to my invention and is not claimed as any part thereof, the construction heilig here shown merely for convenience and simplicity of illustration.

The distribution 'functions of the motor-cylinder 1 aire effected by a distribution-valve 13-in this instance of the piston type-which is fixed upon a stem 15 and fitted to reciprocate in a chest on one side of the cylinder 1.

The distribution functions of the compressor- `cylinder 2" are effected by a distrilmtion-valve of the Allen ty-pe,fand controlled by a governor 17, driven by a belt 17a from the crankshaft 4. Motion is impartedtothe valves from 'saidshatt by afsilngle eccentric 34 fixed upon theshaft and havingits strap 33 coupled to lthe valve-stems through angular connections `in correspondence with the angular connectionsof the `pistons 6 and G" to the crank-pin. Two curved land slotted flinks 39 39 are secured to theeccentric-strap and project therefrom at au angle `one to the other toward the vertical axiallines ofthe motor and Dies or blocks 40 40L 39 and are `coupled `by links 41 41n to pins on rockers 42 42, journaled on the frame 5,

audfsaid rockers are in turn coupled to the stems `15 lc'of the distribution-valves 13 13'. The ylinks 41 41 are coupled by links 43 43 Atota rocker 44,1havi'ng an `arm 45, coupled by a link 46 toa sliding collar on the governor 17, which is raised andilowered, respectively,

4by theinward `and outward movements of the riation of cut-O or. admission in the motorcylinder simultaneously effects a corresponding variation of eduction or discharge in the compressor-cylinder-that is to say, an earlier cut-off in the motor-cylinder, resultant upon decrease of load is accompanied by a corresponding earlier discharge from the compressor-cylinder and vice versa.

Considering th'e machineas consisting, essentially, oftwo cylinders, the indicator-cards from which, as exemplified in Figs. 5 and 6, show relative valve functions, ,thel similarl valve functions varyin opposite directions, and as the admission in one grows longer the discharge in the other grows shorter. This seeming paradox will become clear by a rec'- ognition of the fact that the point of cut-ofi' is measured from one end of the cylinder, While the point of opening or discharge into the reservoir of compressed liuid is measured from the opposite end of the same cylinder, or, in other words, the piston of the motorcylinder is -moved in one direction from the cylinder-head to produce its card, while the piston of thecompressor-cylinder is moved toward the head to produce its card, which is V- generally similar in appearance to that of the niotor-cylinder.

Figs. 7 to 15, inclusive, illustrate an apparatus in which the samegcoincident variation of distribution functions is effected byacommon controlling influence, a Wholly different Vsystem of valve mechanism .being in this in-l stance employed and corrective means added tocompensate for variations of pressure in the motor-.cylinder independently .of variations of load. i

Referring-to the-drawings, Figs. 7 to 15, in-` clusive, the motor-cylinder 1 and compressorcy-linder 2b are tted, respectively, with pistons 6 and 6*?, fixed upon a common pistonrod 9,Which\is coupled by a connecting-rod l2 tothe pin of a crank 10 on the shaft 4.v The distribution-valve mechanism of the motor, and compressor cylinders is of the wellknown Oorliss type and is actuated by an eccentric 34 and controlled by a governor 17, so that, asin the instance lrst described, the distribution functions of the motor and compressor cylinders .are coincidently and inverselyvaried by the positive action of acommon controlling influence.y The rod 3l ofthe eccentric 34 is coupled to ak rocker 47, which is coupled, by a rod orlink 48, to wrist-plates V49 49d, journa'led on the motor-cylinder 1 and 13d, and, by links 51, to arms 53, fixed to the l stems of the supply-valves 13C. A collar 57 on the governor 17, to which vertical movements are imparted by the movements of the governor-balls due to variation of load, is coupled, through intermediate connections presently to be described, to links 63 and 64, which are, in turn, coupled to arms 65, journaled freely upon the'stems of the induction-valves 13 of the motor-cylinder, and is also coupled through intermediate connections to links 63:L and 64, which are in turn coupled to arms 65a, journaled freely upon the stems of the dischargevalves 13C1 ofthe compressor-cylinder. Arms 82 on the stems of the induction-valves ofthe motor-cylinder are connected by links 55 with the pistons of suitable vacuum dash-posts 56 or other analogous closing mechanism, and arms 82a on the stems of the discharge-valves of the compressor-cylinder are connected by links l55a with the pistons of suitableV vacuum dash-pots 56a or other analogous closing mechanism. The induction-valves of the motorcylinder and the discharge-valves of the compressor-cylinder are engaged with anddisengaged from the arms 52 and 52?, respectively, through the intermediation of releasing or tripping gear of the following construction: Aforked lever 83 is journaled toeach of the ICO arms 52, which areiloose on the stems of the v induction-valves 13 of the motor-cylinder, and a substantially-similar forked lever 83 is jourlnaled to each of the arms 52a, which are loose on the stems of the discharge-valves 13d of the compressor-cylinder. One of the arms of the levers 83 83a is provided with a recess for engagement with a block on the end of the adjacent arfm 82 or 82, as the `case may be, and the other arm of said levers 83 83a is adapted to bear against a projection 86 or 86fton the hub of the adjacent arm 65 or 65, as the case may be, the circumferential position of the projections 86 and 86a being in this case determined by the governor. are held in engagement with the blocks on lIO The levers 83 83a the arms 82 82a by springs 84 84a, respectively.

The levers 835t of the compressor-cylinder gear do not bear directly upon the projection of the -adjacent .arms 65?, but are provided with pivoted latches 85a, held in position by springs -t'ected bythe movementofthe wrist-plate and `to the arm 66.

arm 52 in opposite direction at the end of the stroke of the piston. The engagement and disengagement of the arms S2 and forked levers 83 of the induction-valves of the motor-cylin der are effected similarly, but in reverse drection-that is to say, the lever 83 engages With the projection S6 of the adjacent lever on the upward stroke, and thereby disengages the arm 82, causing the induction-valve, to which said arm 82 is connected, to be quickly closed instead of being opened, asin the case of the valves of the compressor-cylinder. The re-engagementof the arm S2 and lever 83 is effected to effect opening of the inductionvalve bythe movement of the Wrist-plate and arm 52 in opposite direction at the endet the return piston-stroke.

It will be seen that as the adjustment of position of the projections 86 and 86, upon which `the period of release of the valves depende, is effected by the governor, the period of admission tothe motor-cylinder and discharge from the compressor-cylinder is coincidently and positively varied, and as the arms G2 and 66, presently to be described,

`through which the connections are made from the governor to the valve-stem arms, move in `opposite direction the `variations of distribution functions will consequently be effected inversely or in opposite directions.

The links 63 and 63a, through which variation of the distribution functions iseifected,

are connected with the governor through the intermediation of rocker-arms G2 and 66, which extend in substantially opposite directions from alcommon axial line, andthe arm 62 is adjustable circumferentially `relatively The arm 62 is formed or fixed upon one end of an open-endedtubular rockershaft 6l, journaled in a bearing 76 on the stand which supports the governor 17. The arm 6G is formed or fxedou a tubular `shaft 60, whichvts within the tubular shafttil, and is `provided with a straight longitudinal slot 7l, located below and extending across a helical slot 72 in the shaft 6l. An arm 59 on the shaft 60, at an angle to the arm 66, is coupled by a link 5S to the collar 57of the governor 17. A cylinder 68 is formed on one end of the bearing 76, and a piston 67 is fitted in said cylinder and provided with a pistonrod 69, which extends intothe bore of the inner tubular shaft 60. A helical spring 73 bears against the inner side of the piston 67 and against a plate 74, which fits against the adjacent end of the outer tubular shaft 60. A pin 70, fixed to the piston-rod 69, projects through the straight slot 7l of the shaft 60 into the helical slot 72 of`the shaft 6l, and a pin or bolt 75, fixed to the bearing 76, projects into a circumferential groove in the shaft 6l and serves to prevent longitudinal movement of said shaft and of the shaft 60 in the bearing 76. A pipe 77 leads from the valve-chest of the motor-cylinder 1 to 'the outer side of the piston 67.

The duid-pressure mechanism last above 'be effected in the motor-cylinder.

described is provided for the purpose of maiutaining the proper relation of variation of the distribution functions of the motor and compressor cylinders under variations of motive-Huid pressure independent of variations of load. In its operation increase of motivefluid pressure, acting through the pipe 77 on the piston 67, moves said piston toward the arm 62, and the pin 70, acting on the shaft 6l through the `helical slot 72 therein, moves said `shaftand the connectedarm 62 circumferentially, so as to adj ust or advance the arm 62 relatively to the arm 66 and thereby cause a proportionately earlier cut-oft in conformity with the increase of motive-fluid pressure to Upon rdecrease of motive-Huid pressure, the spring 73 moves the piston 67 in the opposite direction, and the pin 70,acting on the shaft 6l through the helical slot 72,' correspondingly adjusts the arm 62 in position to causea latereut-off to be effected.

For the purpose of reducing the speed of the pistons of the motor and-compressor cylinders as the pressure of fluid compressed iin the receiver `lor reservoir approximates the maximum within any desired degree, a pistonl 79 is fitted in a cylinder 80, which communicates with the `discharge-valve chest of `the compressor -cylnder or `with the reservoir through a -pipe-81. The rod 78 of the `piston 79 is connected with `the collar 57 of the gov ernor, and upon A`the application of the determined degree .of reservoir-pressure to the piston such pressure acts to raise the collar and by such movement to assistthe actionof centrifugal force upon the governor-balls and decrease the speed of the pistons. The `degree of pressure at which thisidevice will -becomeoperative may be regulated by means of a suitably-loaded check-valve in the pipe 81.

It will/be obvious that other distribution valve and controlling mechanisms, differing structurally from those described and shown, may be combined with a `motor-cylinder and a compressor-cylinder, so as to effect the same results under the same method of operation, and I do not, therefore, `desire to limit myself to the vspecific combinations of devices under which my invention has been herein exemplified.

I claim as myinvention and desireto secure by Letters Patentl. In a fiuid compressing apparatus the combination of a compressor, a motor for actuating the compressor, and a governing device controlling both the motor and the discharge of duid from the compressor, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fluid compressing apparatus, the combination `of a compressor, a motor for actuating the compressor, and a governing device controlling simultaneously both the 1notor and the discharge of fluid from the compressor, substantially as set forth.

3. In a Huid compressing apparatus, the combination of a compressor, a iluid motor for actuating the compressor, and a govern-A ated by the motor and controlling the discharge of duid from the compressor, substantially as set forth.

5. In a iiuid compressing apparatus, the c ombination of a compressor, a motor for actuating the compressor, a governor having connections for controlling the motor and the discharge from the compressor, and means for adjusting the connections, substantially as set forth.

6. In a fiuid compressing apparatus, the combination of a compressor, a fluid motor for actuating the compressor, agoverning device controlling the supply of fluid to the motor and the discharge from the compressor, and means for adjusting the governing device in accordance with variations in the pressure of the motor fluid, substantially as set forth.

' 7. In a Huid compressing apparatus, the combination of a compresso'r,a motor for actuating the compressor, a governor controlling the supply of fluid to the motor and discharge of fluid from the compressor, and means for automatically varying the relative effects of the governor on the supply of iuid to the motor and the disharge from the compressor, substantially as set forth;

8. In an apparatus for the compression of elastic fluid, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a motor cylinder, a compressor cylinder, valve mechanisms independently effecting distribution function-s of said cylinders, and connections to said mechanisms whereby said distribution functions are coincidently and positively varied by a common controlling element.

9. In an apparatus for the compression of elastic fluid, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a motor cylinder, a compressor cylinder, valve mechanisms independently effecting distribution functions of said cylinders, a governor, and connections from said governor to the distribution valve mechanisms of the motor and'compressor cylinders.

lO. In an apparatus for the compression of elastic fluid, the combination, substantially `as set forth, of a motor cylinder, a compressor cylinder, valve mechanisms independently effecting induction to the motor cylinder and eduction from the compressor'cyli nder, a governor, and connections from said governor to said valve mechanisms which operate thereon coincidently and in opposite direction.

l1. In an apparatus for the compression of elastic fluid, the combination, substantially y as set forth, of a motor cylinder, a compressor cylinder, valve mechanisms independently effecting induction tothe motor cylinder and eduction from the compressor cylinder, a governor, connections from said governor to said valve mechanisms which operate thereon coincidently, and a uid pressure device for maintaining a determined relation of variation of distribution functions in the motor and compressor cylinders under variations of pressure in the motor cylinder independently of variations of load.

12. In an apparatus for the compression of elastic duid, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a motor cylinder, a compressor cylinder, valve Vmechanisms independently effecting induction to the motor cylinder and ed uction from the compressor cylinder, a governor, connections from said governor to said valve mechanisms whichvoperate coincidently thereon, and a Huid pressure device for reducing the speed of the moving parts as the pressure of compressed Huid approximates the maximum Within any determinedpdegree. Y 13. In an apparatus for the compression of elastic uids the combination, substantially as set forth, of a motor cylinder, a compressor cylinder, valves eecting the induction function of the motor cylinder, valves effecting the eduction function of the compressor cylinder, actuating mechanism detachably connected to said valves, trippingor releasing mechanism for engaging and disengaging said valves to and from the actuating mechanism, a governor, and connections from said governor to the tripping or releasing mechanism for coincidently operating the same on both the motor and compressor cylinders. n

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANCIS M. RITES.

Witnesses:

J. SNOWDEN BELL, F. E. GAITHER.

ICO 

